From Walking Barefoot to Sipping Contaminated Waters: Caste Discrimination Grips TN Villages

Tamil Nadu- In a remarkable display of courage, 60 Dalits from Rajavur village in the Madathukulam taluk of Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, defied entrenched caste-based discrimination by walking the 'Kambala Naicken Street' late on Sunday, challenging the age-old prohibition on wearing footwear. This bold act stands as a historic moment for the marginalized community, breaking free from the oppressive norms enforced by the upper castes. However, this poignant defiance brings to light the harsh reality that casteism remains deeply ingrained in Tamil society, manifesting itself in various forms across many rural areas.

The persistence of caste-based discrimination is evident in the nomenclature of streets and lanes, which often bear caste names dedicated to the upper caste.

Beyond symbolic representation, Dalits continue to face tangible restrictions on their daily lives. In many rural areas, they are denied the basic right to ride bicycles or motorcycles.

The segregation extends to essential resources, with separate water tanks designated for drinking water use by Dalits. Shockingly, temple entry is prohibited, reflecting the deeply discriminatory practices embedded in society.

The education system, too, becomes a battleground for Dalits, as a recent report exposes disheartening discriminatory practices in schools across Tamil Nadu. A staggering 30 percent of schools in the state exhibit prejudiced behaviors toward Dalit students, ranging from menial tasks like cleaning toilets to the denial of basic rights, such as the refusal to eat food prepared by Dalit cooks. NCRB data says, under Atrocities/Crime against Scheduled Castes, Tamil Nadu recorded an increase from 1,144 cases in 2019 to 1,274 cases in 2020 and 1,377 in 2021. It is an increase of 16.92% of cases in two years.

In the aftermath of the recent act of defiance by Dalits in Rajavur village, Dalit rights activists emphasize that their struggle for equality is far from over. Renowned women's rights activist and author, Shalin Maria Lawrence, shared her insights with The Mooknayak, shedding light on the pervasive discrimination that continues to afflict numerous villages in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the seemingly contradictory nature of Tamil Nadu being hailed as "Periyar's Land" while caste-based discrimination persists, Lawrence remarked, "See the street name, 'Kambala Naicken Street,' which denotes a caste name, and then they say it is Periyar's land."

It may be noted that the Madras High Court,in 2018, directed authorities to remove caste references from the names of roads and streets in Thesur town panchayat, Tiruvannamalai district. Responding to a petition, the court highlighted the clarity of the 1978 Government Order, emphasizing the immediate removal of caste references without inviting public objections. However, things have not changed much despite judicial intervention.

In expressing the multifaceted nature of discrimination faced by Dalits in various villages, Lawrence stated, "At many villages, lower caste men are not allowed to cover the upper part of their body, while at places people can't ride cycles or bikes." Highlighting the broader implications of the struggle for Dalit rights, Lawrence emphasized that the recent protest in Rajavur village is just one chapter in a larger narrative demanding attention. "We need to understand that these issues are not isolated incidents but indicative of a systemic problem," she added.

Lawrence pointed out that discrimination, once overt and blatant, has now evolved into subtler, yet equally damaging manifestations. "Discrimination is modernized and is in many forms, affecting people in various places in rural areas," she asserted.

Drawing attention to the recent protest in Rajavur village, Lawrence emphasized the rarity of such acts challenging deeply ingrained norms. "This is a rare thing which had been missing for decades," she noted, underlining the historical significance of the Dalits in Rajavur breaking free from the shackles of oppression.

In a candid assessment of the political landscape, Lawrence expressed skepticism about mainstream political parties, stating, "AIADMK and DMK would not do since they rely on caste vote banks. But as a VCK supporter, the act is truly appreciated and such an act has come after a very long time".

Instances of discrimination across the state

In Kudimangalam, the government-mandated common burial grounds fail to ensure equality even in death. Despite residing in a neighborhood named 'Ambedkar Nagar,' Dalits find themselves relegated to a separate burial patch while the entrance to the village's burial ground remains reserved for the dominant Gounder caste. The discrimination persists, with Dalits forced to take a separate mud road and enter from the back.

In another instance of deep-seated discrimination, 15 students in Karur district in September 2023, refused to partake in the state's breakfast scheme. Their reason? The food was prepared by a Dalit woman. District Collector T Prabu Shankar took swift action, warning parents of potential legal consequences under the Prevention of Atrocities against the SC/ST Act, emphasizing the need to eradicate caste-based prejudices even at the grassroots level.

In July 2023, in Melpathi village, Dalit families faced discrimination as they were denied entry into the Dharmaraj Draupadi Amman temple, administered by the state government's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department. Despite attempts at reconciliation through peace meetings, the caste Hindu representatives remained steadfast in their refusal to allow Dalits access to the temple. After two months of escalating tensions and five rounds of negotiations proving futile, the temple was eventually sealed due to vehement objections from upper-caste individuals opposing the entry of Dalit community members.

A recent study by the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front exposed troubling instances of caste discrimination within schools across the state. The research, encompassing 30% of schools, revealed biased practices against Dalit students, including assigning them undesirable tasks and segregating them during lunch queues. Disparities in participation in school activities were also identified, impacting academic and personal growth opportunities. Alarmingly, reports of caste clashes among students emerged in 25 schools, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic interventions to eliminate caste-based discrimination within Tamil Nadu's educational landscape.

Vengaivayal Water Pollution Incident- Culprits Yet to be Arrested

In a disheartening revelation, Isaiyarasu Ambedkar, an activist in Chennai, spoke to The Mooknayak, shedding light on the lingering injustice stemming from the Vengaivayal village incident in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. The incident, which unfolded on December 24, 2022, exposed the grim reality of discrimination deeply rooted in Tamil society.

The distressing event involved the pollution of the water tank that supplied potable water to the residents of Vengaivayal. District Magistrate Kavitha Ramu visited the village in the aftermath of the incident, uncovering not only the contaminated water source but also another abominable practice in a neighboring village's tea shop. It was revealed that separate tumblers were being used for Dalits, perpetuating discriminatory practices.

In a startling turn of events, Isaiyarasu Ambedkar disclosed, "It has been a year, and still, the culprits have not been arrested in the water contamination case. The case is in court, and the situation remains the same." Isaiyarasu drew attention to the latest development in the case, where the delays in the legal process have left the victims and activists frustrated, highlighting the systemic challenges in addressing deep-seated discrimination.

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